BIKEWAYS SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
McCathran Hall
Saturday, March 14, 2020 10:00AM
Purpose: Confirming support for a shared-use pathway connection to Crabbs Branch Way
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
A direct and safe walking and bicycle pathway to the Metro and the Grove Shopping area has been a goal in the Town’s Master Plan since 2006. It is also now a priority connection in Montgomery County’s bikeways Master Plan. The Town Council and Mayor would like to provide guidance to the Montgomery County Department of Transportation and their current study of routes and construction of a shared-use pathway connection to Washington Grove.
To help develop such guidance, the Mayor and Council have scheduled this Special Town Meeting. With the connection options to Crabbs Branch Way explained, an advisory vote may be called to confirm resident support for a shared-use pathway connection in general. The meeting will also provide a forum for further discussion of the merits and impacts to the Town of the several connection options.
YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT SO WE HOPE YOU WILL ATTEND.
TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
Next meeting: Monday, March 9, 2020; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend. Actions at the February meeting include:
- Acceptance of a bid from Snider & Assoc. for $7,800.00 for plats and boundary marking in the West Woods.
- Approval of Ord. #2019-18; Amending the WG Zoning Ordinance to Modify the Minimum Lot Size Standards for RR-3 Zone.
- Approval of paving on Ridge Road from #102 – 112.
- Approval of Risk Management Policy Statement.
- Approval of Memorials Policy.
Town Treasurer Position
The Town of Washington Grove seeks a qualified individual to fill the position of Town Treasurer beginning Spring-Summer 2021. The Treasurer has broad responsibilities, functioning as financial officer, bookkeeper, purchasing agent and in other capacities to insure smooth operation of Town government. The Treasurer provides essential continuity and guidance to help elected officials and other volunteers be effective in serving the Town. The position requires independence, organizational skills, and the capacity to effectively communicate and work with diverse individuals.
This part-time position (approx. 10 hours per week) does not include benefits. Work hours are flexible. Applicants must be able to provide their own work space and computer/printer. Strong computer skills are essential. Please send expressions of interest in writing to Mayor John Compton at PO Box 1187 or [email protected].
Town Council Budget Work Session FY 2021
Monday, March 23, 2020
McCathran Hall Council Room, 7:30 p.m.
The Mayor and Council will hold a work session to plan a budget for the coming year which begins on July 1. At their April 13 meeting, the Council will adopt a recommended budget. A summary of the proposed budget will be published in the May Town Bulletin and copies of the budget detail will be available. The Town will adopt a tax rate and budget at the Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, May 9.
Comments from the public will not be taken at the work session. The public is invited to attend to listen to deliberations.
Planning Commission News…
Next meeting: Wed, March 4, 2020; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Building Permit Submission Deadline
The deadline to submit a building permit application for approval by the Planning Commission and review by the Historic Preservation Commission is the 2nd Wednesday of the month prior to the PC meeting at which the permit will be reviewed (this will be in the following month). This timing ensures the HPC will be able to complete a formal review before the PC meeting as this review is required for the PC to approve the permit in a timely fashion. If you are considering any renovation or building project at your house, be sure to get a copy of the procedures to apply for a Town Building Permit which will help you through the Town’s process.
Permits Up for Approval in March: None
2020 Master Plan Work Session
On Wednesday March 18 there will be a Planning Commission Master Plan work session at 7:30 pm in the Council Room. We will be reviewing/revising MP2020-021920-Working-Draft. On February 19 we accepted changes to Section 8 (Commercial Corner). Some significant changes are proposed which you can view in Section 8 in the PDF (MP2020-021920-Working-Draft pdf) now available on the Town web site.
On March 18 the Planning Commission will briefly review the material accepted for Section 8, then proceed to the Historic Preservation Commission submission for Section 9 (Development and Preservation Strategies). If time allows, we will continue with our review of older sections starting at Section 2.2. Residents are welcome to attend.
The most current copy of the 2020 Master Plan Working Draft is on the Town web site as a link on either the Planning Commission page or the Master Plan page. There are also minutes from each session which give details on areas were addressed and changed.
Historic Preservation Commission News…
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 17, 2020; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All meetings are open to the public.
Reminder – Award Ceremony
Washington Grove Street Sign Volunteers, led by Susan Van Nostrand, will receive an award for historic preservation by Montgomery Preservation, Inc., on Saturday, March 14, at Grace United Methodist Church, 119 North Frederick Ave., in Gaithersburg. Tours of the church begin at 2 p.m., with presentation of awards at 3 p.m., followed by a reception. Free, with a suggested donation of $15. RSVP to [email protected] if you plan to attend.
Forestry & Beautification News…
Next Meeting: Wed, March 11, 2020; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
It looks like we’ll have a lovely early spring this year! The next Forestry and Beautification Committee meeting will be Wednesday March 11 at 7:30 pm in the Council room. We will be planning for the spring tree planting. We’d love to have you join us! If you can’t make the meeting but have a suggestion for where a new tree is needed, please contact F&B Chair Georgette Cole ([email protected]) or our Council Liaison Audrey Maskery ([email protected]).
Trees in the Grove: Witch Hazel
A blooming Witch Hazel uplifts spirits with an early promise of spring showing off its strap-like brightly colored petals and enticing fragrance. These are the Witch Hazels most often noticed in the Washington area, a large upright spreading shrub or small tree that blooms for several weeks, starting as early as late January. This “Intermediate” Witch Hazel (Hamamelis X intermedia) originated as a cross between two Asian species and was first introduced in 1945. There are yellow, red, and orange-red varieties, not all of which have a fragrance. Witch Hazels grow well in the understory beneath aged shade trees, though best flowering is in full sun. They are exceptionally valuable for transition zones separating cultivated landscapes from undisturbed wildlands. They do not do well in dry soil. Deer do not like to eat Witch Hazel, but the thin bark should be protected from rubbing damage.
We have one notable Witch Hazel on Town property off Grove Avenue between McCathran Hall and the Women’s Club. It was planted in 2012 by Carol Uhlendorf in memory of her daughter Anne Marie. A photo of the flowering tree taken the second week of February will be found on the Town website.
Our native Common Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a larger plant (up to 20’ tall and wide), whose shorter flowers bloom in the fall. Root stock from Common Witch Hazel is often used to graft to the intermediate variety, which otherwise would tend to sucker. Common Witch Hazel and the smaller Vernal Witch Hazel (native to the Ozarks) can be found at native plant sales.
Plants in Washington Grove, from F&B member and Master Gardener Jay Everhart
Lake Committee News…
Maple Lake Cleanup
The Annual Cleanup will be on Saturday, April 25th at 10 AM. It’s a joint project with the Woods Committee which is also having a West Woods clean-up. Please join in and bring your leaf rake, shovel, and wheelbarrow if you have one. Rain date is Sunday, April 26th at Noon. Call John Hutchinson at 240-997-5820 for details or questions.
Geese
We are using the Humane Society’s protocol again to humanely prevent eggs from hatching this spring. In the past several years, a pair of geese has nested in an area easily accessible to our egg-oiling team. They drive away the other geese during nesting season and then leave when their eggs do not hatch. Please do not feed or harass the nesting pair or disturb the nest. If you see a nest built, please call Ann Philips or John Hutchinson. We encourage visitors to the lake to take along a plastic bag and scoop droppings. THANKS!
Lake Committee Meetings
Third Thursday starting February 20th at 7:30 at the Town Hall. We need to plan for swim lessons, lifeguards, and making the lake even better for this summer. New members welcome and encouraged! Call John Hutchinson if you have any questions or suggestions.
Lifeguards Needed for Maple Lake this Summer
We have a couple of applicants, but need one or two more lifeguards. Hours are from 12-6, seven days a week. Lifeguards must be certified in Lifesaving, CPR, and First Aid. Pay is $13.00 per hour. (We can help you pay for the training.) Call John Hutchinson for details.
Swim Instructor Needed
Swim instructor needed for Maple Lake for the month of July. Pay is $19/hour. Call John Hutchinson for details.
Woods Committee News…
Next Meeting: Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The April meeting will be on April 6, 2020. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. All are welcome to attend.
A total of 14 deer were harvested in the East and West Woods by the volunteer Bow Hunter Fire Fighters of Maryland (BHFFMD) at the conclusion of the Maryland DNR hunting season. The Woods Committee would like to thank these volunteer hunters for their service to our Town. Our final report will be submitted to the Town Council.
Annual Spring Work Day
The Woods Committee and Lake Committee will hold our joint annual Spring Work Day on Saturday, April 25th at 10:00 AM in the West Woods and Maple Lake. Rain date is Sunday, April 26th. Student service learning (SSL) hours will be available. Please dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots. Other Spring projects we will be working on include marking trails in the East Woods and planting native trees in the woods along Grove Road opposite 7th Avenue where the former Emmons property is located.
Recreation Committee News…
Next Meeting: THURSDAY, March 19, 2020; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. Open to the public. Anyone interested in joining should come to the next meeting!
INVITATION TO A ST. PATRICK’S DAY CEILI
What is a Ceili? Come and find out at McCathran Hall from 7 – 10:30 on Friday, March 6.
Get an early start in celebrating with the Blackthorn Ceili Dancers. Try out those dance steps while listening to live music by Joe DeZarn, Tina Eck and Mark Glickman. Don’t want to dance? Just come and enjoy the music. A potluck supper is served about halfway through so don’t forget to bring a dish to share. Free to Grove residents though contributions to pay the musicians are always welcome.
Sponsored by the Blackthorn Ceili Dancers and the Washington Grove Recreation Committee.
Summer In The Parks (SITP)
It’s that time of year when the Town of Washington Grove announces plans for yet another exciting July full of fun and adventure! For decades, Washington Grove’s SITP program has been a unique, unparalleled camp for children to spend their summer in a healthy, wholesome, outdoor environment. Come play games, make arts and crafts, spend time at Maple Lake, star in a Grove-worthy entertainment production, and best of all, make new friends. It all happens in the bucolic setting of Washington Grove, known best as the Town within a Forest. Summer In The Parks is a comprehensive program for children entering Kindergarten up to children entering 8th Grade by September 2020. Many of the camp participants are children that live within the Town limits, but each summer children from outside the Grove also attend and share the magic. When the Grove children become too old to attend the camp, they often continue as volunteers or counselors to help teach the younger generation what they’ve been lucky enough to experience in previous summers.
Summer In The Parks is staffed by a paid director and camp counselors, as well as volunteers. This year the camp will take place from June 30 to July 23 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Campout on July 24. Campers begin each day at McCathran Hall.
All campers must have a completed registration form, waiver and payment mailed to the address on the registration form. Registration forms and applications for employment are on the Town website under Summer in the Parks. Please contact Emily Cavey with any questions. If you are a parent who would like to help organize camp, we would love to have you join the fun! 240-838-1840.
Film Society News…
On Sunday, March 8, the Film Society will show the last film of this season: Walk on Water. To track down a Nazi war criminal, an Israeli agent befriends his two adult grandchildren. Moving and humorous despite the subject matter, the movie reflects on issues of prejudice, guilt and innocence, friendship, and acceptance.
Directed by Eytan Fox, 2004, Israel, English/Hebrew/German with English subtitles,105 minutes. Join us at 7 PM in McCathran Hall for the film and stay afterward for the discussion. This film is free, no tickets required.
The Washington Grove Film Society thanks everyone who has attended our films this season and stayed afterward for lively discussions. We are grateful for the support of the Town of Washington Grove and the Recreation Committee.
Woman’s Club News…
For those who like to knit, crochet or work with fabric, on March 19th we’re having our annual
Project Linus evening at the Clubhouse.
We’ll be making fleece, knitted or crocheted throws and blankets to help give some security, warmth and comfort to children in foster care or who are seriously ill or traumatized. Please join us at 7:00 PM, to work on non-sew fleece throws. We’ll have some fabric available, or you bring your own. Each throw takes two 1.5-yard pieces of non-pill fleece to make a reversable throw.
Washington Grove Woman’s Club 2020-2022 Directory
Washington-Grove-Woman’s-Club-2020-2022-Directory pdf
*This pdf form needs to be first downloaded and saved to one’s local drive if opting to type into the fields and saving the results. Otherwise just download and fill out by hand. Thanks
Dear Fellow Grovers:
- Please complete the information form above and return it for the new 2020-2022 Washington Grove Directory. An * indicates information that we need you to fill out even if there are no changes.
- Enter on the form all names and other information exactly as you want them to appear.
- Please complete this form and return it ASAP via:
- Mail to Mimi Bolotin, Box 321, Washington Grove, MD 20880
- Email to [email protected].
- Drop it off at the Town office
Reminder – If you have not already responded, please return this form as soon as possible!
The Woman’s Club thanks you! Directories will be available for sale this summer.
Stormwater Management Committee
Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 10, 2020; 7:30 p.m. in the Town Council Meeting Room.
The major topic is expected to be follow-up on the evaluations of the proposals received for the West Woods Watershed Study. We also will be discussing coordination with both Montgomery County and the City of Gaithersburg, and the stormwater-related items in the Montgomery County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Please contact Robert Johnson ([email protected]) with questions or comments.
Emergency Preparedness Committee News…
Next Meeting: Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Council Room. All Town residents are welcome to attend and discuss any issues or concerns regarding emergency preparedness or safety.
We are excited to offer a CPR/AED certification class at McCathran Hall on Saturday, March 21st from 11 AM to 1 PM. This class is sponsored by the Montgomery County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and is taught by American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) professional instructors. There is no cost for Town residents. Slots are limited, so if you would like to attend, please RSVP to Dave Lutter at [email protected] by March 16th. This is an opportunity to be prepared and up to date with these life-saving skills.
Lighting Committee News…
Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Council Room.
We will be continuing our exploration of our lighting needs and options, which are complex. Additionally, at this next meeting we will be sharing recommendations for a new lighting fixture at the intersection of Oak Street and Grove Avenue. As part of TWG Lighting Committee’s research, we will be installing a bollard light by Maple Avenue and the edge of 400 Center Street for folks to view.
Any questions, concerns or ideas please contact: Virginia Quesada – [email protected] or 301 706-7933
Washington Grove UMC News…
Washington Grove United Methodist Church… A Reconciling Congregation
As a Reconciling Congregation, we believe that each person is a precious creation of God and is of sacred worth. We welcome and celebrate persons of every gender identity, racial or ethnic background, sexual orientation, and physical or mental ability into full participation in the life of this faith community. We celebrate the gift of love and affirm all loving relations and marriages.
Our Easter Sunday Sunrise Service will be at 6:30 AM, Sunday April 12th, in the Ridge Road field.
Please join us on Sunday mornings at 11:00 am at the Washington Grove United Methodist Church, 303 Chestnut Road, Washington Grove, MD 20880 (301-869-3753).
General Information
Town Elections
Election Day in Washington Grove will be Saturday, May 9. Voting will be held in McCathran Hall from 4:00 until 7:00.
Elections are followed by the Annual Town Meeting. Open this year will be two seats on the Town Council (three-year terms) and the office of Mayor (one-year term). Candidates for Council and Mayor must be qualified voters of the Town. Council nominees must have resided in Town for at least one year immediately preceding their election, and nominees for Mayor two years.
Nominations must be submitted in writing to the Board of Supervisors of Elections. This is most easily done through the Town Office. Nominations require the signature of two qualified voters as nominators, as well as an acceptance by the nominee. The deadline for nominations is April 13.
Qualified voters are registered to vote in Montgomery County at a Town address. You can check your current voter registration at: http://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch
If you find your registration does not list your current residence in Town, you will find instructions for updating the registration at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections/registration/faq.html#Where%20Do%201%20Register
Washington Grove is a self-governing municipality and a member of the Maryland Municipal League. Elected officials serve on a volunteer basis. Kudos to those who step forward and serve the Town in this way!
Recyclable Yard Waste Pick-Up Returns
Recyclable yard waste pick up by Potomac Disposal resumes on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Our trash contractor will pick up recyclable yard waste from your properly marked containers and/or large brown bags. You may also bundle your brush and tie it with twine. Bundles should be no larger than 30” in diameter and 4 feet in length. No individual pieces larger than 4 inches in diameter. Please keep in mind your container is being picked up by a human being and should not be too heavy.
FINAL BULK LEAF COLLECTION
Per our contract with US Lawns, the spring 2019/20 leaf pick up must be completed by close of business on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Residents have one final opportunity to have their spring leaves picked up by the vacuum truck. Please be mindful not to block traffic with leaves on our narrow streets.
Census 2020
Everyone Counts in Washington Grove – Census Day is April 1st, and the 2020 Census is easy. The questions from the Census Bureau are simple:
- How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2020?
- Were there any additional people staying here on April 1, 2020 that you did not include in Question 1? (mark boxes for children, relatives, nonrelatives, staying here temporarily)
- Is this house, apartment, or mobile home (mark one box) …Owned …Rented …Occupied without payment or rent?
- What is your telephone number? We will only contact you if needed for official Census Bureau business.
- Please provide information for each person living here. (fill in or mark boxes – person’s name; sex; age and date of birth; Hispanic or Latino or Spanish origin; race)
Responding to the 2020 Census is Easy – Every household in the United States will receive a notice to complete the census – notices are expected to be in the mail on/about March 12. You can complete the form online, by phone, or by mail.
Responding to the 2020 Census is Safe – Your personal information is confidential, is protected by law, and can never be used to identify you. It can never be shared with law enforcement agencies or your property manager.
Responding to the 2020 Census is Important – This is an opportunity to create a better future for our communities and the next generation by providing an up-to-date count of our population. The date collected will help determine how over $675 billion in federal funding is distributed each year for things like housing assistance, infrastructure, and public transportation.
Maryland Real ID Reminder
Don’t forget the October deadline for getting your MD Real ID license. Check the website for information about what you must bring with you to your appointment.
http://www.mva.maryland.gov/realid
March 2020 – Coming Events Calendar
March 2 » Woods Committee 7:30 pm Council Room
March 4 » Planning Commission 7:30 pm Council Room
March 6 » Irish Ceili Dance 7:00 pm McCathran Hall
March 9 » Town Council Meeting 7:30 pm Council Room
March 10 » Stormwater Committee 7:30 pm Council Room
March 11 » Forestry & Beautification 7:30 pm Council Room
March 14 » SPECIAL TOWN MEETING 10:00 am McCathran Hall
March 17 » Historic Preservation Comm. 7:30 pm Council Room
March 18 » Master Plan Work Session 7:30 pm Council Room
March 19 » Recreation Committee 7:30 pm Council Room
March 21 » CPR/AED Training 11:00 am McCathran Hall
March 23 » Budget Work Session 7:30 pm Council Room
March 25 » Lighting Committee 7:30 pm Council Room
March 26 » Emergency Prep. Committee 7:30 pm Council Room
April 1 » Planning Commission 7:30 pm Council Room
Drive 15, enjoy the scene!!